How to Choose Rolls of Burlap for Landscaping Projects

Introduction

Torrential summer rain had just hammered a newly graded slope I was overseeing, and rills were carving through the seedbed before my eyes. My quick fix—unrolling heavyweight burlap in sheets and pinning them down between squalls—stopped the soil migration in minutes and saved the project from a costly re-grade. Moments like that underline why choosing the right rolls of burlap for landscaping is mission-critical rather than an afterthought.

I’m Yu Liang, CPESC (Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control) and long-time field consultant. In this guide I blend hands-on lessons with the latest 2025 AASHTO erosion-control recommendations while drawing on Wellco Industries’ vertically integrated expertise. Wellco, a member of the International Erosion Control Association (IECA), supplies everything from FRP ground pins to ISO 14001-certified burlap lines—so you can spec, buy, and deliver from one partner.

Understanding Burlap’s Role in Landscaping

What Is Burlap? Natural-Fiber Fundamentals

Burlap is a coarse plain weave made from jute, a fast-growing annual sourced largely from Bangladesh and India. Untreated jute fiber is fully compostable, breaking down in 8 – 24 months depending on microbial activity and rainfall.

Core Benefits for Soil & Plant Health

• Moisture buffering (USDA Soil Health Report, June 2024): Open weave lets rainfall through but shades soil, cutting evaporation by 30 %.

• Erosion control: Rough fibers create micro-dams that slow runoff and trap 70 – 90 % of sediment on 3 : 1 slopes.

• Root insulation: A 2023 University of Wisconsin study recorded 15 % higher first-year survival for burlap-wrapped saplings.

Key Factors When Selecting Rolls of Burlap for Landscaping Projects

Fiber Quality: Jute Grade, GSM & Weave Density

“Specify at least 305 gsm on slopes receiving sheet flow. Lighter cloth tears before vegetation pins the surface,” notes agronomist Linda Cruz, CCA (interview, Feb 2025).

¹ASTM D4595 wide-width tensile test, sampled January 2025 at Wellco’s Qingdao lab.

Choose a tight plain weave for weed suppression; opt for leno/open mesh when rapid root penetration drives the spec.

Roll Dimensions & Project Fit

Standard rolls ship at 1.22 m × 45 m (4 ft × 150 ft) and 2.44 m × 68 m (8 ft × 225 ft). Match width to bed or slope span; every unnecessary overlap costs roughly 5 % more staples and labor.

Environmental & Sustainability Certifications

USDA Certified BioBased, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, and Wellco’s publicly listed ISO 14001:2015 certificate (updated March 2025) satisfy most municipal green-building bid documents.

Matching Burlap Specs to Real-World Applications

Slope Erosion Control — Mid-Atlantic DOT Case Study

In spring 2024, a state DOT swapped straw mat for 305 gsm burlap over 500 m of 2 : 1 embankment. Composite runoff samplers downstream captured storm events ≥ 12 mm. Results: 35 % lower suspended solids during the first rainy season and 80 % vegetative cover in eight weeks—two weeks faster than the control. Methodology details appear in the agency’s June 2024 maintenance bulletin.

Field Anecdote: Storm-Triggered Adjustment

During a July 2025 tropical-storm remnant in coastal South Carolina, I inspected a project where lightweight burlap had been specified for budget reasons. Two hours of 40 mm rainfall had started to shear panels. We halted work, swapped in A-1 grade, doubled staple density to 4/m², and returned two days later to intact slopes and zero additional soil loss—a lesson that up-front spec savings can vanish after one storm.

Tree Wrapping & Winter Protection

After losing apple saplings to sunscald in my zone-6 orchard, I trialed double-layer burlap wraps. Temperature loggers showed 5 °C less fluctuation at the cambium line; winter 2024-25 mortality dropped to zero.

Weed Barrier for Garden Paths

A 2024 Canadian nursery trial found weed emergence at 8 shoots/m² under 280 gsm burlap versus 5 under black polypropylene. While plastic edged burlap slightly on suppression, the burlap decomposed into humus by mid-season, saving removal fees and improving soil tilth.

Sourcing & Supply-Chain Considerations

Partnering With a Vertically Integrated Supplier

Wellco Industries mills, weaves, finishes, and cartons burlap under one roof, then consolidates shipments with its FRP stakes and erosion staples. This integration shortens lead time to as little as 21 days to the U.S. East Coast and keeps weave counts within ± 2 % of spec.

Private Label & OEM Opportunities

Minimum order one 20-ft container unlocks custom roll widths, color stitching, and QR-coded labels linking to life-cycle assessments—features big-box buyers now require.

Pricing, Lead Times & Quality Assurance

FOB Chittagong pricing tracks raw jute futures (averaging USD 0.83/kg YTD 2025). Lock six-month contracts to hedge spikes. Every lot ships with third-party tensile and moisture reports, and Wellco archives retain samples for 24 months to resolve claims.

Installation Best Practices & Safety

Pre-Install Handling & Storage

Store pallets off concrete and under cover. Burlap absorbs ambient moisture above 65 % RH; mildew can form within seven days.

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

1. Grade and seed the slope following 2025 AASHTO Guide §7.2.

2. Lay burlap downslope; overlap edges 10 cm.

3. Secure every 0.75 – 1 m with 20 cm wire or FRP staples.

4. Lightly irrigate to bed the fabric.

5. Inspect after the first storm; reseat lifted edges immediately.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

• Sun exposure pre-install: UV degrades fibers; install within 48 hours of unwrapping.

• Underspecifying staple density: Fewer than 3/m² invites wind uplift on open sites.

• Excess overlap: Overlapping more than 15 cm impedes seedling breakthrough.

Conclusion

The right rolls of burlap for landscaping transform soil protection from an expense into an investment: healthier plants, lower maintenance, stronger compliance. Assess jute grade, weave, and tensile data; align them with site conditions and 2025 AASHTO guidelines; and leverage Wellco Industries’ IECA-member expertise for swift quotes, samples, and logistics. Ready for a tailored spec or landed-cost breakdown? Email Wellco’s erosion-control desk today and keep your next project rooted in success.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How long will burlap last on a steep slope?
Heavyweight 305 gsm burlap typically stabilizes a 2 : 1 slope for 12 – 18 months—long enough for turf to anchor—before biodegrading.

Q2. Can I customize roll widths for narrow garden beds?
Yes. Wellco cuts widths down to 0.5 m with a one-pallet minimum, keeping edges machine-stitched to prevent fray.

Q3. Does burlap attract pests or mold?
Properly stored burlap resists pests; mold risk is low if rolls stay below 65 % RH and are installed promptly.

Q4. Is burlap strong enough for high-traffic pathways?
For paths that receive foot traffic before final surfacing, pair 300 gsm burlap with a 50 mm mulch layer or gravel to distribute load.

Q5. What documents prove burlap sustainability?
Provide the USDA BioBased certificate and Wellco’s ISO 14001:2015 registration; both satisfy most municipal green-procurement policies.